Man sentenced to life plus 26 years for New Mexico crime spree that ended in Las Cruces
Zachary Babitz was sentenced to life plus 26 years in federal prison for a 2024 New Mexico crime spree that included robberies, carjackings, a fatal shooting and a Las Cruces pursuit.
Zachary Babitz pleaded guilty to 13 federal counts tied to armed robberies, carjackings and the fatal shooting of an 83-year-old Santa Fe man
Organ Mountain News report
ALBUQUERQUE - A man whose 2024 armed robbery and carjacking spree ended in Las Cruces has been sentenced to life plus 26 years in federal prison.
Zachary Babitz, 40, pleaded guilty to 13 federal counts stemming from a series of robberies, carjackings and a fatal shooting across Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Doña Ana counties between July 30 and Aug. 10, 2024.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced the sentence Wednesday. There is no parole in the federal prison system.
Babitz’s crime spree ended Aug. 10, 2024, in Las Cruces.
Federal prosecutors said Babitz and an accomplice robbed an Arby’s restaurant at gunpoint, stealing cash. Later that day, they participated in another armed carjacking, forcing a victim from a vehicle at gunpoint.
While fleeing law enforcement, Babitz crashed the stolen vehicle and was later found hiding in a nearby dumpster.
Spree included fatal Santa Fe carjacking
The federal case tied Babitz to crimes committed over nearly two weeks across New Mexico.
Prosecutors said Babitz began the spree July 30, 2024, by robbing an AutoZone in Albuquerque at gunpoint and stealing about $345. The following day, he robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Albuquerque, presenting a demand note and indicating he was armed before leaving with about $3,300.
On Aug. 3, prosecutors said Babitz robbed a Jersey Mike’s restaurant at gunpoint and forced an employee to open a safe.
Three days later, in Santa Fe County, Babitz confronted an 83-year-old man during a carjacking. Prosecutors said the victim resisted and Babitz shot him, searched his pockets for the vehicle keys and left him in a parking lot.
The man later died from his injuries.
Babitz continued the spree Aug. 9 with another carjacking in Bernalillo County, where prosecutors said he knocked the victim unconscious.
The Las Cruces robbery, carjacking and pursuit followed the next day.
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Support Organ Mountain NewsDeath penalty notice withdrawn through plea deal
Babitz was charged in a 13-count federal indictment arising from the 2024 crimes.
On Oct. 22, 2025, federal prosecutors filed notice that they intended to seek the death penalty.
Babitz and the federal government later entered into a binding plea agreement April 17 calling for a sentence of life imprisonment.
He pleaded guilty to all 13 counts, including robbery, bank robbery, carjacking resulting in death, firearm offenses, carjacking and felon in possession of a firearm.
At the time of the 2024 offenses, Babitz was on state probation for six previous robberies committed in Albuquerque.
Federal prosecutors said his adult criminal history dates to 2004 and includes violent felony convictions in Nevada, California and New Mexico.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the federal case with assistance from the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, Santa Fe Police Department, Albuquerque Police Department and Las Cruces Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Natasha Moghadam prosecuted the case.
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